Aikatsu! is a card collection/rhythm game for Japanese arcades (followed by four 3DS games) produced by Bandai, with an anime adaptation by Sunrise and later BN Pictures.
The gameplay revolves around managing the students who enroll in idol schools by getting high scores in rhythm game segments. In these segments, the markers move toward a blank circle and the player presses the button of the correct color.
List of Installments
- Aikatsu! (2014-2016)
- Aikatsu Stars! (2016-2018)
- Aikatsu Friends! (2018-2019)
- Aikatsu on Parade! (2019-2021)
- Aikatsu Planet! (2021-2023)
The video games contain examples of:
- A Day in the Limelight: There's one stage that puts the player on the same stage as Johnny while he supposedly teaches about how to pull off special appeals. He even does the voiceovers!
- Crossover:
- With Tamagotchi. The Tamagotchi P's virtual pets get an add-on that features Aikatsu characters, while Aikatsu's Datacardass game features a Tamagotchi stage. See here
and here. - Another one with the works of Osamu Tezuka, along with Stars!.
- With Tamagotchi. The Tamagotchi P's virtual pets get an add-on that features Aikatsu characters, while Aikatsu's Datacardass game features a Tamagotchi stage. See here
- Player Character: Requires the use of a player ID.
- Power Glow: The popularity/expertise/development of an idol can usually be determined by the size of her aura when performing.
- Press X to Not Die: Comes in three ways in determining the success of special appeals: hitting a sequence of buttons in a small amount of time, when the shrinking circle marks are exactly on the buttons shown on the screen or coins falls exactly on the designated area.
- Rainbow Pimp Gear: This can happen if attempts to make a good coord (a working combination of clothes of different types) fail or players simply use cards with higher score values without regard for compatibility. Even the good coords themselves are not◊ exempt from this.
- Relationship Values: Maxing it out for a character allows the player to use her in the game unless the player has to compete against her.
- Retool: Aikatsu Planet! is quite different from its predecessors. Apart from incorporating live action into the promotion of the game, Planet removes idol types and most brands in place of preferred dress themes (Fairy, Jewel, Flower, etc.) that have type advantages against each other, simplifies dress sets down to a single card, and allows players to use multiple dresses in a battle.
- Socialization Bonus: As of the 2015 update, having friends in a player ID data allows players to form teams in-game using their characters. Some stages outright require team and friends' characters to add to the starting score more than the default characters.
- Spear Counterpart: Received one in the form of Dream Festival!, focusing more on a Five-Man Band setup and more emphasis on idol groups rather than a school of idols.
